LOVE is DEAD [RARL]

4

"So, where were you, Ron? Off knocking up another girl?" The grin on Enid's face proved the lightheartedness of the situation. The 5 kids walked down the neon-lit sidewalk, casually chatting with each other.

"Oh, fuck off," Ron laughed, one hand in his jacket pocket, the other rubbing the back of his flushed neck, blushing in embarrassment. "I told you, traffic was bad. I couldn't go around up the bike path either; cops would have seen that I don't have plates."

"Funny," Mikey said, "Roads were clear for us."

"Whatever. Does anyone have a drink? I fuckin' thirsty," Ron turned full circle as he walked, snatching the plastic bottle Enid handed him, taking a swig of the disguised Vodka. Lydia pouted.

"Seriously, do you guys have to drink in front of me? I'm jealous as fuck."

Enid tossed an arm over her shoulders, planting a kiss on her girlfriend's cheek. "Stay strong, sunshine."

Everyone laughed.

A few steps behind them, Carl walked silently, both hands in his jean pockets, eyes boring into the back of Ron's head.

...

"Listen, if you're going to be a dick about it, you can pay 20 for it, alright?" Ron sneered, brow cocked high as he stared his customer down, his friends lounging behind them, laid out on the shitty den's couch and smelly beanbag.

The stubby guy with the bowl cut sighed heavily, handing over the wad of ones, taking the saran wrapped pot from Ron.

"That's what I thought," Ron called after him as he left the abandoned building, rolling his eyes as he threw himself back down onto the squeaky seat. "These city dudes are REAL assholes, am I right?"

"I don't trust 'em," Enid said, lighting a cigarette from Ron's pack, puffing quietly as Mikey and Lydia agreed. Carl stayed silent, leaning on the wall closest to the door, the only 100% sober one in the room, besides Lydia.

"Like, honestly, it's 15 dollars a gram. How hard is that to cough up? And I'm real nice about it, too. I buy the shit from a good source."

"You tried to sell a dude oregano once," Mikey countered, but Ron waved him off with a 'business is hard' and a loud burp.

"Listen," Carl interrupted. "It's almost 2, and I have work tomorrow. Can we get going?"

"Soon, soon," Ron huffed. "One more deal I have planned. You're no fun, Grimes. Come on, drink a lil', smoke a bit."

"Yeah, Carl," Mikey stood from the beanbag, arms spread wide in a drunken hug. "Jus' a little bit. Won't tell no one!"

Carl smiled, but his heart wasn't in it. "Can't. Dad's making me piss in a cup every week now. It's a pain."

Mikey blew a raspberry.

"Alright, Alright. Les' go. He can wait on his damn coke." Ron pocketed the cash after counting, shooing his friends out the door.

...

"You're driving them, right?" Carl asked Lyd quietly, and she gave him a dazzling smile.

"Of course, wouldn't dream of letting either of them behind the wheel in this state. You're doing the same for Ron, right?" When Carl nodded, she let out a heavy sigh. "Good... He worries me a lot. I mean, you all do, but him and Enid most of all. They're trouble."

"Make it double," Ron slurred, going into fistbump Mikey, but missing completely.

"Byeeee," Enid hummed, jumping into her token beat up truck, Mike hot on her heels.

"See you guys," Lydia said, hand propped on her hip.

"Yeah," Carl said, taking Ron by the wrist, leading him back towards the bike as the other's peeled out.